Awning shutter



G. R. ALLISON AWNING SHUTTER Sept. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR flrrosuey 5 5 9 1 N 0 Am? 8 1 d h w 6 .HHIII HM 5 a 7 Sept. 27, 1955 Filed Jan. 8, 1953 G. R. ALLISON 2,718,920

AWNING SHUTTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GORDON R. ALLISON,

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United States Patent ice AWNING SHUTTER Gordon R. Allison, Miami, Fla.

Application January 8, 1953, Serial No. 330,317

3 Claims. (Cl. 16020) This invention relates to improvements in protective device broadly and has particular reference to a combined awning and protective shutter commonly recognized under the descriptive title of awning shutter.

The invention has for its prime object, the provision of a combined awning and overlying protective shutter for wall openings, such as windows or the like and embodies novel extensible structure that projects beyond a wall opening or the like to shield such opening against the direct rays of the sun or against the entry into the opening of foreign matter, such as rain, snow or the like, with the structure being such as permits a quick and easy collapse and nesting of parts to be positioned in wholly overlying position with respect to the wall opening as a protection against excessive winds, flying objects or the like.

The invention further provides novel ornamental side slats that are supported from an awning top in a manner that permits the awning top to be swung downwardly to overlie the wall opening, with the slats at both sides of the device automatically shifting to overlying and nested relation with each other and with the awning top and with the side slats when in the extended awning position being so spaced and arranged as to readily permit a free circulation of air therebetween, but which will act to deflect air currents of unusual force against entry to the wall opening.

The device further provides a novel light and ventilation shutter for the awning top that is manually controllable to control light and air from above to the wall opening.

Various outstanding structural features will be more clearly understood by reference to the following description, coupled with the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred form of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an awning shutter constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a central vertical section thereof, taken on line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a similar view on a slightly enlarged scale, with the awning shutter shifted to the collapsed and overlying position with respect to a window,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the awning shutter extended to the awning position as in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a section substantiallly on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through one of the side slats, illustrating the pivotal support thereof and,

Figure 7 is a further slightly enlarged section, taken substantially on line 77 of Figure 3.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a top panel as a whole, that in effect provides the top for the awning shutter. The numeral 6 designates substantially identical side 'shields'as a whole, sup' Patented Sept. 27,1955

ported from the panel 5 and shiftable to a collapsed popending upon the area of the wall opening or window to be protected and is formed of any desirable material, such as wood, metal, plastic or composition board that has adequate rigidity to withstand normal and most abnormal pressures. The panel 5 is provided with fiat rails 7 that are preferably spaced inwardly slightly from the sides of the panel and are rigidly connected to the panel throughout their length. The rails 7 are pivotally connected with fixed wall brackets 8, as at 9 and serve to support the panel to swing in a vertical plane to be disposed in an angular protective awning position or to an overlying protective position with respect to the window and window opening. A metallic flashing 10 overlies the upper end of the panel and prevents the entry of rain or the like to the window opening when the panel is in eitherof its adjusted positions.

Means are provided to swing the panel and associated elements in the vertical plane, comprising a horizontal shaft 11, having a bearing at one end in a bearing block 12 and a bearing at its opposite end in a geared operator 13, controlled through the medium of a hand crank 14 that is extended through the wall 15 of the building for convenience in controlling the device. The shaft 11 spans the window opening adjacent its upper end. Connected with the shaft 11 adjacent its opposite ends, are crank arms 16, having pivotal and slidable connection at their outer ends with brackets 17, fixed upon the under face of the panel 5. In the particular arrangement shown, it becomes necessary that the arms 16 be slotted to permit the free operation of the device without binding, such slots being indicated at 18. It will be clearly apparent, that operation of the device 13 will cause the panel 5 to swing either up or down upon its pivots 9 and when in the upper or extended position, will be disposed on a desirable angle, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 and, when swung to the downward position, fully overlies the window opening with the rails in contact with the wall 15 for their full height. The use of the geared operator serves to effectively lock the awning shutter in either of its positions of adjustment against shifting or rattling under wind pressures. The panel 5 is further provided with a preferably rectangular opening 19 that is normally covered by a shiftable vent panel 20, the opposite ends of which are bent to channel form, as at 21 to slidably engage the marginal edges of the panel 5. Spacer strips 22 serve to space the panel 20 slightly above the panel 5 to permit a free flow of air from the upper portion of the awning. Any .suitable means may be employed to retain the panel 20 in a desired position of adjustment whereby the user may admit a desired amount of light and air through the opening 19. While the panel 20 has been illustrated as being slidable, it will be apparent that it could be hinged to swing upward and while the panel 5 has been shown and described as being shifted by the mechanism embodying the crank arms 16 and geared operator 13, cables or other operating means could be readily employed to swing the shutter to either position. The panel 5 has been shown as being formed of a sheet of desirable material to which is attached the rails 7, but it will be apparent that the panel could be formed of a single section of metal bent to form the rails 7 in a common and well known manner.

Since most conventional protective awnings are provided with side panels to shield thewindow against angular currrents of air and rain or of the suns rays, the

awning shutter of this invention hasbeen provided with the protective side shields, indicated as a whole by the' numeral 6. Each shield 6 comprises a plurality of parallel flat slats 23 that are each pivotally connected to the inner sides of the rails 7, as by rivets or bolts 24, shown more clearly in Figure 6. The slats in each shield 6 are progressively spaced inwardly from the rails 7 so that the slats may have an overlying nested engagement when the shutter is swung to the position shown in Figure 3. This overlying nested arrangement is more clearly shown in Figure 7. To provide for this progressive spacing inwardly, the pivots 24 are formed progressively longer and, from the forward slat 23, the pivots carry spacing sleeves 25 to maintain the several slats in their proper spacing to permit their nesting position. As shown, the upper ends of each of the slats are rounded, while the lower ends are shown as being pointed, although any desirable design may be employed. As shown, the forward slat 23 is pivoted flat against the inner face of the rails 7 with the other slats being progressively spaced inwardly. The slats have also been shown as being progressively longer from the outermost slat rearwardly, but this is more from the standpoint of design than from utility.

Since the awning is adapted to swing downwardly to an overlying shutter forming position, it becames apparent, that the slats 23 must of necessity be simultaneously shifted to the nested position and such nesting ispreferably controlled by the swinging of the panel 5. As clearly shown, the several slats are connected, one to the other, by links 26, with the links 26 being parallel with the rails 7 and pivotally connected with the slats, as at 27. The rearmost slat 23 of each shield 6, carries a short link 28, that is pivotally connected with a fixed bracket 29, at each side of the window opening, with the axial center of the pivot being outwardly spaced from the wall 15 a distance identical with the pivot 9. It will be apparent, that the progressive inward spacing of the slats 23 is sufficient to permit the full overlying position of the slats in the nested position with the links 26 in between, as clearly shown. While the links 26 have been shown as being flat strips, it will be clearly apparent that other forms of links may be employed, such as wires or the like. The links 26 maintain the slats 23 in their parallel position at all times, regardless of the angularity of the awning. The slats 23 as shown, have a width substantially equal to the width of the rails 7, but under no circumstances shall they have a greater width in view of the desirability of having the rails fully engage the wall 15 when the device is shifted to the shutter forming position. The slats and associated links may be formed of any desirable material that has suflicient rigidity to prevent the free flexing of the slats under the influence of air currents.

In the use of the device, installation having been made in the usual manner, the operator actuates the geared operator 13 to cause the awning to swing outwardly and upwardly under the influence of the crank arms 16 to a preferably predetermined angularity, which action causes the several slats 23 to be simultaneously shifted to the position shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, with the several slats being spaced apart to provide for a free circulation of air therebetween. The slats are positively held in their parallel position which, as shown, is perpendicular and parallel with the wall 15. The geared operator will successfully lock the awning in the extended position against shifting. The arrangement of the slats 23 in the progressive inward spacing serves to also deflect rain and wind from blowing between the slats to enter the window, since the wind blowing at 'an angle will strike each of the slats and be deflected from one to the other, yet permitting an uninterrupted circulation of air to and from the window. In cold weather it may be desirable to direct the direct rays of the run to the window and, since the panel is provided with the rectangular opening 19, the panel 20 may be bodily shifted downwardly to expose as much of the opening 19 as is desirable. The position of the panel 20 will in no way interfere with the shifting of the awning to the shutter forming position. Assuming now that a storm is threatening or that the house is to be closed against possible storm damage or unauthorized entry, the operator merely actuates the operator 13 to cause the panel 5 and associated slats 23 to shift downwardly and inwardly to the point where the rails 7 will fully engage the side wall 15, at which time the several slats will be fully nested with respect to each other and fully nested within the awning comprising the panel 5 and rails 7. The geared operator will successfully lock the device in the shutter forming position. The flashing 1t) overlies the space between the upper or inner end of the panel 5 and the building wall 15 at all times and prevents water from running down the wall and upon the slats and links.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of combined awning shutter has been provided. The well known canvas awnings are impracticable from the standpoint of maintenance and various attempts have been made to construct slatted awning shutters that have slatted side shields that are hinged to be swung inwardly when the awning is to be shifted to the shutter forming position. This has necessitated in many instances, the required help of an additional person, since frequently the awnings are so long or Wide that one person cannot operate both shields at the same time. The device of the present invention presents a very ornamental appearance, is simple in construction and cheap to manufacture, is strong, durable and highly successful in use. While the awning panel 5 has been shown as being flat, it is contemplated thatconvex forms may be employed which will in no way alter the operation. The structure readily lends itself to manufacture from various materials and designs.

It is to be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A protective awning shutter for windows in a wall that comprises an awning panel that is pivotally supported upon the wall in a position to be swung in a vertical plane to be angularly projected to an awning position or swung to a position to fully overlie the window, the panel provided with a rectangular opening for light and air, a shiftable cover for the opening, the panel provided with underneath rails inwardly of each end and for the full depth of the panel, side shields for the awning shutter that comprise each a plurality of perpendicular and parallel slats that are each pivotally supported upon the rails, links connecting the slats of each side shield and with brackets fixed upon the wall at each side of the window, the slats being progressively spaced inwardly of each other in each shield, the awning panel when shifted to a position overlying the window causing the slats of the side shields to be collapsed to overlying position with respect to each other and to be nested within the awning panel, a shaft rotatably supported across the window, crank arms fixed upon the shaft and engaging brackets carried by the awning panel, a geared operator to control the motion of the shaft for swinging the panel and associated side shields to an awning forming position or to shift the awning panel and side shields to an overlying shutter position with respect to the window, the geared operator maintaining the struc ture in either position of adjustment.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the links for the slats of the side shields are pivotally connected with each of the slats and with the links maintaining a position of parallelism with the rails throughout the swinging movement of the awning panel.

3. The structure as in claim 2, wherein the slats are of identical width and wherein the width of the slats References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 40,795 Hofiman Dec. 1, 1863 6 Everett Oct. 30, 1877 Jones Feb. 25, 1930 Miller Feb. 9, 1932 Miller Mar. 28, 1933 Mashmeyer Sept. 3, 1946 Paddock et al. Aug. 7, 1951 Liberatore Oct. 6, 1953 

